Description

The mission of the Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery is to provide the best neurosurgical care to our patients, to lead the world in advancing the art and science of neurosurgery, and to produce the next generation of neurosurgical leaders. To achieve this goal, we have a broad and intensive research program focused on the mechanisms, treatment and cure of neurological disease and injury.

Our research utilizes diverse approaches including molecular, transgenic and electrophysiological techniques, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities and support services, allowing biomedical studies, translational research, clinical trials, technology development and assessment. The ongoing projects cover major areas of neurological diseases, including stroke, aneurysm, spinal cord injury, brain tumor, stem cells, neuroprotection, hypoxic encephalopathy, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease. Our projects are supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Vivian L. Smith Foundation for Neurologic Disease, the American Stroke Association, and other granting agencies.

This position is uniquely essential to the success of our current grant-funded research. It requires an individual with both extensive medical knowledge and clinical experience as an MD, as well as a strong background in research. The combination of these qualifications is critical to ensure the scientific and clinical integrity of the project.

Position Summary:

Coordinates, supervises, and directs major biomedical research projects. Provides advanced scientific and technical expertise to contribute to the formulation, implementation, and analysis of techniques, procedures, and results of research projects.

Position Key Accountabilities:

Identifies and assesses feasibility and significance of research projects. Formulates a project or identifies a problem by using information and data obtained through contact with other researchers, physicians, or literature searches. Conducts a feasibility study in terms of staff, time, and resources. If the findings are favorable, designs the procedures and establishes a research methodology to investigate and solve the problem.

Designs, executes, and interprets the results of complex biomedical and scientific experiments using advanced equipment, complex technique methods, and procedures. Performs research to provide clues for health care professionals to utilize in preventative medicine and in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the future.

Formulates and implements new research techniques to enable projects to be carried out efficiently and ensures successful completion of assigned goals.

Stays abreast of new biomedical progress and technological advances in order to upgrade research skills and produce better and faster results. Researches literature for new biomedical progress and technological advances to upgrade research skills.

Collaborates and submits research findings for publication to advance the scientific knowledge of others. Results and findings are submitted through written research papers, public presentation at local or national meetings, or personal exchanges with faculty member and other scientists.

Assists the principal investigator in obtaining grant funds and other types of financial support.

Maintains lab equipment, assists in necessary repairs, and promotes a safe laboratory environment. Ensures direct reports follow safety procedures and attends basic safety training courses.

Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

None.

Minimum Education:

Doctorate Degree.

Minimum Experience:

Four (4) years of experience in related research environment and have verifiable publications within the field of the research project.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
This position may include work involving potentially hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive agents.

Security Sensitive:
This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.
Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.